Yesterday, University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) incoming transfer, Brandon Russell, became the 15th player to add his name to the ever growing list of Rutgers
class of 2014 commitments. The 6-1, 210- pound Russell is an under-the-radar outside
linebacker/defensive end prospect with a style of play the Rutgers staff believes
will translate over to the "Mike" linebacker role. The Scarlet Knights began
recruiting Russell this past spring culminating in a two-day unofficial visit
to campus, beginning this past Tuesday.

"I loved it," said Russell, who is of Bahamian descent and whose
uncle also attended the school in the 80s. "I loved the campus, the diversity
of the campus. The folks showed me love. I was able to see how the players
bonded with each other. And you can't fake that. And I just saw the love
everywhere, but they also work hard. I saw how they do things in the weight
room and on the field and it's kind of similar to how we do things back home.

"It would be an adjustment but it wouldn't be too bad. I can see myself being there for four years. That's
my home."

Russell's Rutgers offer came about while on his visit to
campus, one he will never forget.

"They offered yesterday," he said. "I talked to my coach
about it earlier and we thought it was a great decision. I didn't hesitate. I just
took it because I knew Rutgers was where I wanted to go.

"It feels amazing," Russell continued. "I'm just humbled and
blessed. It took a lot of hard work to get here. A lot of blood sweat and tears and
finally your hard work is paying off."

Russell played his first three high school football seasons
at Flanagan high school (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) but arrived at University – a prep
school – this past February. He would have rather originated at his new school, though, if
it had not been for financial issues. But Russell has finally arrived and is
prepared to go to battle along with his new band of brothers.

"The whole U-school family is actually
just a brotherhood," Russell said. "They just welcomed me with open arms. I was a little
nervous my first day and I didn't even have to worry about it after that. I felt
everybody had my back. It was all love. I felt like it was all one big family. We
all had the same goal and the same mindset."

One player who Russell bonded
with quickly after arriving at University was Rutgers defensive end, Nick Internicola. The two have something in common outside of finally connecting at University School. Internicola spent time at South Broward (Fla.) high, a rival of Russell's
former Flanagan high, before transferring into University, himself.

"Nick is like a big brother to me," said Russell. "When I got to University, we hit it off, right away."

So there was no surprise whoRussell would spend much of his visit with once he arrived on the banks.

"I stayed over with Nick, which
was cool because all of his roommates are from South Florida except for one,"
he said. "I was hanging out in the dorms, and met almost all of the players who
all welcomed me. We played a little Madden, had fun with one another. That's how
I can see it was real, they were genuine."

According to Russell, the main
thing that stood out to the Rutgers staff when evaluating his film was his raw
talent and ability to find the football.

"They like my speed and aggressiveness, my raw talent. I know
that it's not high school ball, but they see the potential in me and feel they
can sculpt me into an amazing athlete."

Those same skills Russell mentioned garnered himl attention from multiple
schools in major FBS conferences, Russell says, as well as tenders from a few
mid-majors.

"I was talking to some ACC and Big East schools like Louisville
and Cincinnati. And I held offers from Western Kentucky, Air Force and FAMU. "

However, the Scarlet Knights' proactive approach in
recruiting the talented linebacker paid dividends in the school attaining his
services.

"Rutgers was the first school to reach out to me," said Russell.
"They kept in touch with me and showed love from the start. So I appreciated
that and I looked into them and developed a relationship.